Books

London: John Murray, 1888. Sixth Edition [Thirty-Fifth Thousand].. Octavo, publisher's original green cloth stamped in blind on front & rear panels, spine panel lettered and decorated in gilt, brown coated endpapers. One folding lithographic plate at p 90. Pp. xxi, [blank], 458, + 32 pp publisher's catalogue "Mr. Murray's General List of Works" dated September 1888 bound in at rear. Small bookplate of T.P. Brewis, Newcastle-on-Tyne affixed to front paste-down, with an overstamped name of Dr. Alex Chrichton, Eskdale, Willington on the plate. Corners slightly soft and a bit knocked, light rubbing to edges of the cloth, top page edges a touch dusty. Inner (and outer) hinges are tight and unbroken. The text block is clean and bright, with no internal foxing, even to the terminal and preliminary leaves; the text is mostly uncut throughout. A nearly fine, bright copy of what is "certainly the most important biological book ever written" (Freeman). A remarkably nice example. ¶ A later…

"On the Origin of Species" is a pivotal scientific work by Charles Darwin, published in 1859. In this seminal book, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, reshaping humanity's understanding of the natural world. He presented a comprehensive argument supported by extensive observations and evidence from various fields, discussing the gradual modification of species over time. Darwin's central idea was that all species of organisms evolved from common ancestors and that the mechanism driving this evolution was natural selection. He argued that within populations, organisms exhibit variations, and those better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over successive generations, these advantageous traits accumulate, leading to the divergence of species and the formation of new ones. Darwin drew upon diverse scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, to support his theory. He detailed examples from nature, such as the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands and artificial selection in domesticated animals, to illustrate his points. The book triggered widespread debate, challenging prevailing religious and scientific beliefs about the origin and diversity of life. While controversial at the time, "On the Origin of Species" laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Its profound impact continues to shape scientific inquiry, influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology and sparking ongoing discussions about life's interconnectedness and the processes that drive biological diversity.